The NFL’s Top Father-Son Duos Who Left It All On The Gridiron
In the storied hallways of NFL history, a unique and captivating narrative emerges when examining the dynamic lineage of father and son players who have graced the gridiron. From the legendary quarterbacks to ferocious defensive titans, these generational duos have left an undeniable mark on the field.
So, run to the endzone and take a look at these storied father-son duos throughout NFL history.
Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning
Arguably, the most famous father and sons to play in the NFL are the Mannings. Archie, drafted second overall by the New Orleans Saints in 1971, played 14 seasons and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
His sons Eli and Peyton accomplished more than their dad. Eli and Peyton each won two Super Bowls. Eli with the New York Giants, and Peyton won a title with the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos.
Oliver and Andrew Luck
Oliver Luck was the 44th pick in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. Luck played four seasons, all with the Oilers, before moving on to become a football executive.
Oliver's son Andrew was selected first overall in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft and played all six of his seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Andrew made the Pro Bowl four times before health issues forced him to retire in 2019.
Don, Matt, and Tim Hasselbeck
Don Hasselbeck, father of Matt and Tim, played nine seasons in the NFL. It was his block of an extra point attempt that sealed the Super Bowl win for his Los Angeles Raiders in 1983.
Matt Hasselbeck, the eldest of Don's sons, guided the Seattle Seahawks to their first Super Bowl championship, and his brother Tim played eight seasons before becoming an NFL analyst for ESPN. Don's third son, Nathanael, played college football but did not go professional.
Bob and Brian Griese
Considered by many as one of the greatest QBs of the 1970s, Bob Griese played all 13 seasons of his NFL career for the Miami Dolphins. Griese led the Dolphins to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, winning two of them back-to-back.
Griese's son Brian is also a Super Bowl-winning QB. Brian won the Lombardi Trophy as the backup of John Elway with the Denver Broncos.
Phil and Chris Simms
Former NFL QB and NFL commentator Phil Simms played 14 seasons, all with the New York Giants. Simms helped guide the Giants to two Super Bowls in 1986 and 1990. He moved to the broadcast booth as an NFL analyst for CBS.
His sons Chris and Matt played in the NFL at the quarterback position like their father. Chris became an NFL analyst. Matt was in the NFL for five seasons, the last few limited by injury and a major decline in his play.
Brett and Breshad Perriman
Brett Perriman was an NFL wide receiver for over a decade for the Chiefs, Dolphins, Lions, and Saints. New Orleans drafted him 52nd in the second round of the 1988 Draft.
Indianapolis Colts receiver Breshad Perriman, son of Brett, was drafted 26th in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Breshad then bounced around the league before landing in Indianapolis.
Ed and Christian McCaffrey
Ed McCaffrey is a former NFL wide receiver who played 13 seasons. Ed was a three-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos, winning two of the three in Denver.
Wide receiver and running back Christian McCaffrey was drafted eighth in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. In 2022, he was traded to the 49ers.
John, Joey, and Nick Bosa
John Bosa is a former Miami Dolphins Defensive end and father of two NFL players. John played three seasons marked mostly by injuries and falling far below the Dolphins' expectations.
In 2016, the San Diego Chargers selected Joey Bosa third overall in the Draft. His younger brother Nick was picked second overall in 2019. The Bosa family joins the Mannings and the Matthews as the only to have three members get drafted in the first round.
Terrence and D.K. Metcalf
Terrence Metcalf, father of D.K., played seven seasons in the NFL at the Offensive Guard position. Terrence was drafted 93rd by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft.
D.K. was picked 64th in the second round of the 2019 Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. D.K. is known for his sprinter-like speed and signature green-dyed hair, matching his Seahawks uniform.
Devin Bush Sr. and Devin Bush Jr.
In 1995, the Atlanta Falcons picked Devin Bush Sr. 26th in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft. Bush Sr. played eight magnificent seasons highlighted by a Super Bowl victory at Super Bowl XXIV.
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Devin Jr. in 2019, 10th overall in round 1. Jr. played three seasons for the Steelers before becoming a member of the Seattle Seahawks in 2022.
Asante Samuel Sr. and Jr.
Born in Ghana and raised in Florida, Asante Samuel Sr. played cornerback in the NFL for ten seasons after the New England Patriots drafted him in 2003. Sr. won two Super Bowl rings in New England.
Asante Samuel Jr. began his career in 2021 after the Los Angeles Chargers drafted him in the second round.
Joe and Jaycee Horn
Four-time Pro Bowl player Joe Horn made his rounds in professional football before landing in the NFL. Horn played three seasons in the CFL (Canadian Football League) before the Kansas City Chiefs drafted him in the 1996 NFL Draft in the fifth round.
There are much higher hopes for his son Jaycee Horn, who was selected eighth in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Jaycee did not have to move far upon joining the league because he attended the University of South Carolina.
Kellen Winslow and Kellen Winslow II
Recognized by many former NFL players, coaches, media, and fans regard Kellen Winslow Sr. as one of the league's best tight ends ever. Winslow Sr. played his entire career for the San Diego Chargers after they drafted him 13th in 1979.
Winslow II showed promise after the Cleveland Browns drafted him sixth in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Winslow II had his career cut short to deal with personal matters.
Marion Barber Jr., Marion Barber III, and Dominique Barber
Marion Barber Jr. spent his seven-year NFL career as a running back for the New York Jets after they selected him 30th in the second round of the 1981 Draft.
Barber III was a Dallas Cowboys running back for five of his six NFL seasons. His younger brother Dominique was a sixth-round pick of the Houston Texans.
Jim and Joe Burrow
Jim Burrow played only one season in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers picked Burrow in the eighth round of the 1976 NFL Draft before taking his talents to the CFL for four seasons.
Jim's son, QB Joe Burrow, has lived up to the hype of being drafted first overall in 2020 and almost leading his Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl victory in his second year in a narrow 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Tony and Anthony Dorsett
Although Tony Dorsett played a season in Denver, he will always be remembered as one of the greatest running backs to play for the Dallas Cowboys and in the NFL. Tony won a Super Bowl in his rookie season in Dallas.
Tony's son Anthony was drafted in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers, now the Tennessee Titans.
Howie, Chris, and Kyle Long
FOX Broadcaster and former NFL Defensive end Howie Long struck fear into the hearts of many quarterbacks during his 12-year career with the Raiders, the team he won the 1984 Super Bowl.
Chris, Long's eldest son, won two Super Bowls, one in New England and then in Philadelphia. Howie's third son, Kyle, played seven seasons before injuries shortened his career.
Michael Pittman Jr. and Sr.
Former NFL running back Michael Pittman Sr. was drafted in the fourth round by the Arizona Cardinals of the 1998 NFL Draft. Pittman helped guide the Cardinals to a win in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Wide receiver Pittman Jr. was drafted in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Patrick Surtain Sr. and Patrick Surtain II
Patrick Surtain Sr. was a second-round pick out of the University of Southern Mississippi by the Miami Dolphins in 1998. Surtain Sr. was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Surtain Sr. had
The Denver Broncos picked up Surtain II in round one of the 2021 Draft. They needed him to fill a void at the cornerback spot. The ninth pick of Denver displayed his talent immediately by being named a 2020 First-team All-Pro and his 2020 Pro Bowl selection.
Terry and Eric Metcalf
Terry Metcalf, drafted in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft, played six seasons. Metcalf made the Pro Bowl three times and also had a cup of coffee in the CFL (Canadian Football League).
Metcalf's son Eric played 13 seasons in the NFL. Eric played running back and wide receiver but was used mainly as an electrifying kick-returner.
Antoine Winfield Sr. and Jr.
Antoine Winfield Sr. played the cornerback position for 14 seasons in the NFL. Winfield Sr. was a first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1999.
Winfield Jr. can brag to his father that he is a Super Bowl champion. Jr. helped anchor the safety position for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the way to winning the Lombardi in 2020.
Jon Runyan Sr. and Jr.
Jon Runyan Sr. is a former NFL offensive tackle and U.S. Congressman. Runyan played 14 seasons in the league after the Houston Oilers drafted him in the fourth round of the 1996 Draft.
Runyan Jr. was selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. The Offensive guard started 33 of his first 50 games.
Orlando Brown Sr. and Jr.
Standing at 6' 7" and weighing over 300 lb, it is safe to say that Orlando Brown Sr. was a presence on the field. Brown Sr. went undrafted but pushed back defensive lines for 13 seasons.
Brown Jr. achieved more success early in his NFL career than his dad. Jr. won a Super Bowl playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bobby and Marlon Humphrey
Bobby Humphrey was picked by the Denver Broncos in a supplemental draft in 1989. After his contract negotiations went south, Humphrey held out and bounced from Denver to Miami before retiring with the Buffalo Bills in 1995.
Marlon Humphrey was a first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2017. The talented cornerback made three Pro Bowls and was named NFL First-team All-Pro in 2019.
Steve and Cameron Jordan
Steve Jordan played 12 seasons in the NFL, all for the Minnesota Vikings. Jordan was picked to the Pro Bowl six times and has been named one of the 50 Greatest Vikings of all time by the franchise.
Jordan's son Cameron was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Craig and Cameron Heyward
Craig Heyward, or "Ironhead" as he was affectionately nicknamed, was drafted 24th in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. The 1995 Pro Bowl selection played his ten seasons for the Saints, Bears, Falcons, Rams, and Colts.
Cameron Heyward was picked in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cameron has been named NFL First-team All-Pro three times and was selected to the Pro Bowl six times.
Jackie and Matthew Slater
Jackie Slater, or "Big Bad Jackie," terrified defensive linemen for 19 seasons, all with the Rams organization (St. Louis and Los Angeles). The seven-time Pro Bowl Offensive tackle had his number (78) retired by the Los Angeles version of the Rams.
Jackie's son Matthew is by far the star of the family. Matthew won three Super Bowl championships with the team that drafted him, the New England Patriots.
Corey and Christian Miller
Corey Miller was a sixth-round pick of the New York Giants in the 1991 NFL Draft. After his playing days ended, Miller turned to broadcasting, joining FOX in 2013.
After playing for the almighty Crimson Tide of Alabama in college, Christian Miller was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2019 in the fourth round. He then became a free agent and was waived by the Panthers in 2021.
Jessie and Justin Tuggle
When a player was nicknamed "The Hammer," it was with good reason. Former NFL linebacker Jessie Tuggle blasted QBs, receivers, backs, and anyone not on his team, earning him the moniker. Jessie spent his whole 13-year career with the Atlanta Falcons.
Justin Tuggle signed as an undrafted free agent back in 2013 with the Houston Texans. Justin went to the CFL after being released by the Cleveland Browns and won a Grey Cup title in 2017 with the Toronto Argonauts.
Robert and Cayleb Jones
Former NFL linebacker Robert Jones was a large part of the three Super Bowl rings he and the Dallas Cowboys won. Jones later would play for the St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, and Washington.
Cayleb Jones signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 after going undrafted. Robert's other son Levi was picked 10th by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2002 NFL Draft.
